There is a meeting of minds when it comes to the visual arts and furniture design: they have a similar evolutionary history, and over time, each has influenced the other. Camerich is a global furniture company, and has done some beautiful collaborations with artists in the past. About 6 weeks ago, I started working on a series, created exclusively for the new Camerich Fortitude Valley showroom on James Street. In this post I’m sharing a few of the completed pieces of Convergent Series.

Walking through the streets of Florence, there is a resounding beauty that still echoes into contemporary society. Much of Florence was developed during the Renaissance - a time when perspectives on the world shifted - and we can feel that still. The Renaissance spanned roughly from the 14th to the 17th century and marked a significant transformation in art, culture, politics, science, and the fabric of European and later global society. Now, we are poised for an era that I believe can be compared with the Renaissance. Artificial intelligence is enabling this inflection point. In this article, I want to discuss some of the larger themes of my thinking, and to encourage the conversation.

The concept of beauty, as processed and interpreted by artificial intelligence (AI), does not typically fall within the scope of traditional AI research, which often focuses more on capabilities, functionalities, and applications of AI systems rather than aesthetic judgments. Given the rise of generative AI and creative machines, I feel like this is an important direction to investigate. This article starts to discuss some of my thinking.

Imagine walking into a room and feeling an instant sense of calm wash over you. The colors, the light streaming through the window, the art hanging on the wall - everything just feels right. This isn't magic; it's science, specifically neuroaesthetics. This fascinating field explores how elements like color, light, texture, and shape can impact our wellbeing and emotions.

In recent years, the world of interior design has evolved into curation, leading to the question: Are interior designers the new gallerists? There is also a blurring of lines between art and interior design, where designers are now more involved in the artistic process, often working closely with artists to commission unique pieces that resonate with the overall design vision. This article shares how LA designer Kelly Wearstler has crossed into a gallerist’s role, and why that could be the way of the future. 

Image credit: Kelly Wearstler

At what other time in history have we found ourselves questioning: “What is it to be human?”

In an era marked by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), the question of what it truly means to be human takes on renewed significance. As AI permeates our lives - from directing us to a new restaurant, to recommending our next film, to operating on our loved ones – many of are considering how our jobs, businesses and lives will evolve. There is a question in the undercurrent of every piece of news about AI: “What is the world becoming and what does this mean for us?”

This piece was written for the Festival of AI and Robotics in Melbourne, March, 2024.

I'm on a brief trip to sunny Melbourne. Interior designer Katie Riddell and I headed into the NGV to see the Bonnard exhibition. We were also keen to see the gallery design of India Mahdavi the French architect and interior designer. An iconic interior designer and an exquisite painter, but the conversation just didn't work for me. Find out why.

I recently completed a commission artwork for Villa Rosalie, Ozcare’s new riverside aged care development in Newstead, Australia. The artwork would be the first thing that families would see when they walked into the space. It had a very specific job to do: to help families feel welcome. To create the piece, I dove into the story behind the development, and into the life of Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Swiss nun who shared her kindness with the people who needed it most.

When you dive a little deeper than you thought you could, into cold waters, and the world around you changes. That’s the feeling that this beautiful new original artwork evokes.

This piece was created after days swimming off the Mediterranean coast, before the waters became warm. The shimmering green was everywhere. It was like finding myself inside a shimmering emerald. Time stopped, and everything was quiet.

For me, being in Barcelona was a time to refresh and reinvigorate my creativity. It is a space to be influenced my new ideas, try out new techniques, and let my mind wander a little.

I’m a painter. When it comes right down to it, I love the smell of oil paints, turpentine, beeswax. I love the feel as my old worn brushes moves them across the linen canvas. The pigment is luminescent. It feels like a little piece of magic, witnessing the new work created in my studio. Sometimes I feel in control of it all. Sometimes the paint tells it’s own story, and I let it.

So, why would I use artificial intelligence as an artist? This article describes how I use AI as a creative tool in my practice.

Uber-personalised art? That’s a YES. I believe that working directly with clients to understand their space, style, and personality is the key to creating artwork that is perfect for them. This article explains how this approach allows you to commission artwork that is not only beautiful, but also tells your story in a new way.

Watch the video of me talking in my studio about creating art that tells your story.

Albion Nord is a London based interior design firm, whose philosophy on the spaces we create deeply resonates with me. Read more about why I believe in creating ‘spaces with soul’.

As you can imagine, I've had a lot of conversations with people about the right art for them. Everyone is different, and has their own story to tell. So art is a very personal decision and experience for all of us.

When I have conversations with interior designers and commission clients, the conversation can be thoughtful, philosophical, and downright practical. I decided to finally write down some of the things we've been talking about. Plus I included some of the designers and thinkers who have inspired me: Kelly Wearstler in Los Angeles, Albion Nord in London, and Gary Hamer, Marina Hirst and Gabrielle Reinhardt in Australia.

Our home is more than just the walls around us, our home is the space where we are ourselves. Spending time in an environment that truly reflects who we are makes for a richer life experience. The art in our home helps us to tell the story of who we are.

Put these smooth, funky, dance-y, chill tracks on to do the creative stuff that YOU love to do. This month I’ve got an eclectic mix of 10 songs, from Justin Bieber’s ‘Peachy’ to Aitana’s ‘Formentera’ on repeat in the studio.

While in Melbourne, I went to the Picasso Century exhibition at the NGV. Here is a short video on why I love Picasso, and why I will look for his work in any city I’m in.

Sarah Daly created two art commissions for a seaview property in Sant Pol de Mar, off the coast of Spain. Watch the video to find out more.

Have you been thinking about commissioning art for your space and want to know what's next?

Here are the 6 steps to getting the perfect artwork created just for you hanging in your home.

Here are some of the books that I’ve read and re-read as I’ve built my art and business practice. They have inspired me to set the conditions for everyday creativity, to perceive myself as a master crafts-person (rather than the misleading modern idea of an ‘artist’), to understand my clients, and design a business that serves them.

I recently created 106 AI Portraits for the Women in AI ANZ 2022 Awards in Melbourne called 'Artificial/ Authentic'.

The intention is to prompt us to consider how we see ourselves in relation to artificial intelligence.